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Album Review // PALAYE ROYALE ‘Boom Boom Room (Side B)’

Palaye Royale are back to delight with their sophomore album in all their signature glitz and glamour.

Palaye Royale have been making waves since they started, and this is sure to continue as they release their memorable sophomore album, the highly anticipated Boom Boom Room (Side B).

Death Dance is a perfect start to the album. Bursting with an infectious energy, we’re treated to a delightfully catchy opening as vocalist Remington Leith’s signature raspy vocals cut through a fuzz of guitars and bass. Cranking up the intensity after the first verse, you won’t be able to resist the upbeat tempo and infectious claps, as the drums continually drive the energy forward.

The nostalgic Teenage Doors Of Heartbreak would not sound out of place in a coming-of-age film. Reminiscing “We used to say, ‘We won’t ever change'”, it’s a bittersweet song about teenage love and the days past by. With tantalising bass licks and delightful guitar lines, the weight of the nostalgia is countered by the breezy feeling created by the instrumentals.

You’ll Be Fine brings out the mystique with its cinematic flourishes and dramatic tempo changes. As Remington sultrily rasps in the verses, it brings out the emotions behind the lyrics and adds a dark undertone to the track. The music grows more turbulent as we move towards the chorus, the ‘no’s increase in speed and intensity until we climax with an explosive chorus of soaring vocals and impassioned instrumentals. There’s a slight primal edge to the unrestrained instrumental outbursts in the track and the shouts of Remington, unleashing a power that is sure to captivate you. Speeding up and slowing down, it’s an unpredictable track that will have you on the edge of your seat, eager to hear what comes next, and it crowns Palaye Royale as the kings of building tension.

There couldn’t be more of a contrast with the slower Dying In A Hot Tub. Swaying melodies and lilting acoustic guitars open the track, and the faded soundscape adds an extra layer of emotional vulnerability to it. Leading into full instrumentals for a massive chorus, it’s a chorus that will have no problem filling every single space in a room. Carefully thought-out chord progressions lead to moments of tension that are happily resolved, leading to a massive sonic satisfaction. The indie sound hinted at in Dying In A Hot Tub is continued in Mrs. Infamous. Full of mellifluous grooves, you’ll find yourself singing along to the repeated “Mrs Infamous” as it’s simply too catchy to resist.

Hospital Beds brings out a glam-rock side of the band, as it opens with tender piano chords. Soaring through a dazzling soundscape, the melody dashes between electrifying guitars and fervent piano chords to uplifting vocals. It’s a musical tour-de-force, and it’s such a varied track that it could definitely find itself on a Musical soundtrack.

Love The Void starts with an atmospheric opening, and the dramatic nature of it bears semblance to early Panic! At The Disco material and its celebratory feeling will leave you on a high.

Closing with The Boom, it’s a memorable ending as poignant piano acts as the backing to a spoken word segment. Growing in the middle as orchestral strings join the texture, it slowly fades away before unsettling chords grow in unrest and leaves the album unresolved. It’s definitely a statement though, just like the whole of Boom Boom Room (Side B) is, and this is an album that builds on the unique style that Palaye Royale have created.